Apple tree DS-165

ABSTRACT

An apple tree `DS 165` bearing russet-resistant fruit is disclosed. The apple tree displays vigorous spurring and has short internode distances resulting in a more compact tree.

This distinct new apple cultivar was discovered as a limb mutation of"Smoothee" in the orchard of Daniel E. Simmons, Peace Valley Orchards,R.R. #1, Rogers, Ohio. In comparison to "Smoothee," the mutationidentified as DS-165 is a semi-spur type tree and the fruit has fewer,less conspicuous lenticels resulting in a smoother, more attractivefruit finish. This new selection has been asexually reproduced by limbgrafting at Rogers, Ohio, on a variety of rootstocks and remains true tothe description herein contained.

The accompanying photographs (FIG. 1: View of a lateral branch depictingfruiting habit of DS-165 on Malling 106 rootstock; trees in 3rd leaf;and FIG. 2: Another view depicting fruiting habit of DS-165 on Malling106 rootstock; trees in 3rd leaf) show the increased development offruiting spurs on 4 year old trees of DS-165 on MM 106 rootstocks.

FIG. 3 shows typical examples of fruit and foliage of DS-165.

FIG. 4 is a whole tree view depicting growth habit of DS-165 Apple Treeon Malling 106 rootstock in 3rd leaf.

FIG. 5 shows a comparison of the fruit of `Smoothee` with that ofDS-165.

FIG. 6 illustrates the fruit of DS-165.

The following is a description of this new selection with the colordesignation according to the Horticultural Colour Chart issued by theBritish Colour Council in collaboration with The Royal HorticulturalSociety, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are obvious.

Flower:

Pedicel.--1.5 to 2.1 cm in length.

Corolla.--2.2 to 3.1 cm in diameter at anthesis.

Color.--White.

Pollination.--Self-pollinated.

Fruit:

Shape.--Ovate to slightly conic.

Size.--Axial diameter 6.2 to 7.0 cm. Transverse diameter 7.0 to 7.5 cm.

Color.--Citron Green (Pl. 763/1).

Skin.--Smooth, slightly waxy, with scattered, conspicuous, slightlyraised, round dots.

Stem.--Long (1.8 to 2.0 cm) extending well beyond the shoulders, mediumthickness and slightly clubbed.

Cavity.--Acuminate, deep, slightly russetted.

Basin.--Broad, medium, rounded, smooth.

Calyx.--Persistent, open, separated at the base; lobes slightlyrecurved.

Calyx tube.--Conical, wide.

Stamens.--Basal.

Core lines.--Meeting.

Core.--Closed, distant.

Carpels.--Elliptical, mucronate, smooth.

Seed.--0.7 to 0.9 cm, acuminate, smooth, dark brown.

Flesh.--Fine, white, crisp, juicy, very good.

Maturity season.--With Smoothee and Golden Delicious.

Keeping quality.--4-5 months in adequate storage.

Uses.--Excellent fresh eating, culinary, sauce, juice.

Aroma.--Comparable to parent variety.

Bearing characteristics.--Studies to date indicate DS-165 is moreabundant than "Smoothee" or "Yellow Delicious" and is less likely to gobiennial.

Bruise resistance.--Comparable to parent variety.

Lenticels.--Less conspicuous and less in number than "Smoothee" and"Yellow Delicious"; an average of 27 lenticels per square inch onfully-ripened fruit.

Tree:

Growth habit.--Vigorous, spreading, semi-spur fruiting habit and in allother characteristics similar to Golden Delicious.

Leaves.--Large, dark green, simple, ovate with acuminate tips, simpleserrations of leaf margins, upper surface smooth and lower surfacemoderately pubescent, midriff red and raised, lateral veins white tolight pink and slightly raised.

Leaf size.--Length of leaf blade -- 9.0 to 10.0 cm. Width of leaf blade-- 5.0 to 5.8 cm. Length-width ratio -- 1.7 to 1.8.

Petiole.--3.0 to 3.4 cm in length, thick, reddish brown, slightlypubescent. Prominent basal bracts persist at base of petiole atabscission.

Branches.--30% to 50% more spurring than "Smoothee" or "YellowDelicious"; internode distance less than "Smoothee."

Bark.--Comparable to parent variety.

Winter hardiness.--Comparable to parent variety.

Spurs.--Individual spurs comparable in appearance to parent variety.

Disease and insect resistance.--Not systematically observed, butcomparable to parent variety on limited data.

Number of spurs per linear foot of limb (2 year wood).--12-13.

Leaves per linear foot of limb (1 year wood).--15-17.

In particular, this new selection is distinguished from "Smoothee" whichit most closely resembles by the semi-spur type bearing habit and by thesmoother, more attractive fruit finish.

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct apple tree as shown anddescribed, to be a true mutation of the parent cultivar "Smoothee" witha semi-spur type fruiting habit and a smoother, more attractive fruitfinish.